Chicago - The Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) and the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) have jointly released an August 2012 update to the 2011/2012 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast. This report delivers timely information on window, door and skylight market trends and product relationships. Historic data for 2006 through 2011 and forecast data for 2012 through 2015 are also included in the report. Forecasts are based on projections of construction activity as of August 2012.

Nonresidential construction declined slightly in 2011 and is forecasted to continue to remain slow through 2012, tempering growth in the non-residential architectural interior door categories. However, the updated study predicts a slight improvement in architectural door shipments in 2012 over earlier forecasts. Lagging slightly behind the residential market, non-residential construction is expected to rebound significantly in the subsequent three years through 2015.

According to the updated study's data, multi-family and single family starts are expected to experience a slightly better increase than what was initially thought, up to 19% over 2011 with additional increases in 2013 and 2014. Residential improvement expenditures are expected to see a similar shift.

As of mid-year, residential skylights are tracking at a growth rate slightly higher than the 2011 volume. New construction skylight activity has proven to be greater than expected with double-digit growth percentages. Remodeling and replacement skylight activity has fallen behind initial expectations with only minor growth, though the replacement market is benefiting from weather-related replacement in the first half of the year.

The updated study continues to show little change in the segmentation for residential interior door material types is expected over the next five years. However, significant volume is expected to return to the entry and interior door market as new construction demand is expected to grow at double-digit rates, outpacing remodeling and replacement activity as the housing market recovers.

Additional and more detailed information on the residential and commercial fenestration markets is contained in the 2011/2012 WDMA/AAMA Study of the U.S. Market for Windows, Doors and Skylights (published in May 2012), which includes all of the items listed below.

• WDMA/AAMA U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast -- August 2012 Update summarizes residential, non-residential and remodeling trends from government and industry sources.

• WDMA/AAMA U.S. Industry Channel Distribution Report profiles the residential and non-residential market for windows and doors as it flows through the identified distribution channels.

• WDMA/AAMA U.S. Industry Market Size Report quantifies residential and non-residential market volumes, both historic and projected.

• WDMA/AAMA U.S. Industry Regional Statistical Review and Forecasts detail information for 11 individual regions.

The updated 2011/2012 U.S. Industry Statistical Review and Forecast, as well as the other reports listed above, are available for purchase online from WDMA.

Source: Window & Door Manufacturers Association